Aeroplane.



W. B. SHEPARD.

AEROPLANE. APPLIUATION FILED JULY 29, 1910.

MLW/ZZM,

Patented June 4, 1912.

'! snnmswsnnm' 1.

W. B. SHEPARD.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1910. 1,028,143, Patented June 4,1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

eff/M90592";

B. SHEPARD.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1910.

Patented June 4, 1912.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. B. SHEPARD.

AEROPLANE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29, 1am.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. B. SHEPARD.

ABROPLANE.

APPLIOATION TILED JULY 29, 1.910.

1,028,143, r Patented June 4, 1912.

7 BHBETB-SHEBT 5.

W, 'B. .SHBPARD. AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1910.

Patented June 4, 1912.

7 SHEBTS-SHBBT 6.

w; B. SHEPARD! AEROPLANE.

.MEBLIOATIOK FILED JULY 28, 1910.

'1 MEETS-SHEET 7.

Patented MM, 1912.

w nna sTATEs PAT T .QF

WI LI M B. SHEPARD, oFBnL'orr, WISCONSIN.

To uZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, inthe county of Rockand State of i l isconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements .in Aeroplanes, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawin s.

lily invention relates to aeroplanes, and has for its objects to provide an improved aeroplane having means by which it may be readily steered while traveling, in a level plane or directed into higher or lower planes while advancing through the air, .or balanced laterally, either while advancing or remaining stationary so .far as forward 1 movement'is f concerned, or maybe moved Cecvertically up or down independently of forward movement; also to provide'an aeroplane with means for automatically main-.

end, a fore-and aft extending frame which taining the lateral balance of the machine. A further ob ect 1s toiiniprovethe conslr ction and operation of aeroplanes in other. respects, as will be hereinafter pomted out. I

I accmnplis'h these objects as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter polnted out.

What i: regard as new is set forth in the claims. in the accompanying draW1ngs,-F1gure" ii 355 a side elevation of my improved aerodang; Fig. Qis a plan View thereof; Fig. 3 is a partial side view, a part of the conlling mechanism bingshownsomewhat "rainniatica'lly; Fig. 4 is an enlarged deiilnst atingtone of the pivots of the partial. plan view showing the car and operng mechanisin' carried therebyi Fig. '9 an enlarged detail, being partial vertical sectidn on line 9 9 of Fig.1, illustrating theniechanism for automatically mainiuing the lateralbalance oft-he machine; 1.0 is a detail, being a vertical section AERQPLANE.

main sustainingplanes; l ig. is a detail wing tee operating levers and con nec- 'SpecificationofI-ettersfateht. PatentdJtineQlQlZ. Application filed .m 'ae, 191d. Serial No. 574,499. 3 a i on line 10 -10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a verti-- cal section on[ line 11-11 of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a detail showingthe steering lever in end View and thejspring detent for holding it in position; Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail, being a vertical section on line 13l3 of Fig. 9; Fig. 14 isa plan view of the'parts shown in Fig. 13; 'Fig; 15is a detailshowing the arrangement of the propellers and their connections with the moto'r'yFig; 16 is an. enlarged view of certain of the parts shown in Fig.' 15, illustratinglthe arrangement of the clutches by which-the propellers are connected with the motor; Fig.1? is aview takenat right angles to that shown in .Fig'.

' 16; Fig. 18 isa sectional view showing the support'for o'neof thehorizontal propellers and. the driving connections there Ofpand Fig. 19: isa. partial plan .view showing the connection of one of the vertical propellers.

My improved aeroplane comprises, in gen carries one or more series of main sustaining planes, the planes of each series being .0 mounted in said frame upon transverse axes arranged in the same horizontal plane and being arranged to rock about such transframe and theaxis of each of-the several planes is arranged centrally thereof so that each plane is balanced after the inannerot a butterfly valve, and consequently nmyljie readily rocked upon its axis. In addition to these main sustaining planes I provide,

laterally-disposed balancing planes at each side of the main frame, said. balancing planes being pivotally mounted so that they are adapted torock about a transverse axis 0 so as to change their fore-and-aft inclinae tion. Rudders are provided at the front and rear ends of the frame for, steering pm poses, said rudders being arranged to operate in unison in such manner that they veo- 05 operate in steering themachine. pair of vertical propellers are provided. inoliihted on" axesparallel with the longitudinal axis of the machine for advancing it, and pair of horizontal propellers arranged. to rot-ate about vertical axes are provided for m0v.- mg the machine upward The several therefrom.

planes may be rocked by the operator to change their angular position from a car mounted under the main frame of the machine, said car being provided with suitable levers and connections by which the several operations may be effected. The car also carries the motor by which the propellers are rotated.

Referring now to the drawings,2021 indicate upper and lower members of the main frame, each of which is rectangular in form, as shown in Fig. 2,said members being connected together by upright rods 22232425, as shown in Fig. 1, forming an open frame which is, in general, cubical in form except that atits forward end it is wedge shaped, as shown at 26 in Fig. 2, to form what may be termed the bow of the machine.

27 indicates a front rudder which is pivoted upon the rod 22 so as to swing about said rod as an axis and extends rearwardly 28 indicates a rear rudder which is similarly pivoted upon the rod 25 and extends rearwardly therefrom. The rear edges of the rudders 27-28 are connected together by a wire cable 29 which extends around the frame of the machine, running through suitable eyes or guides 30 secured to the seve'al rods 23-25, as best shown in Fig. 6. Obviously, by this construction movement of the cable 29 in either direction will operate to move the two rudders oppositely to each other so that they will cooperate to steer the machine to one side or the other. By turning them to a sharp angle the machine may be caused to turn in a circle of very short radius The mechanism for moving the cable 29 to change the angular position of the rudders will be hereinafter described.

31 indicates the front planes of the upper series of main planes, and 32 the rear planes 'of the upper series, and 333 l, respcetivel y,

the corresponding planes of the lower series. Each of these main planes-1s pivotally mounted on a transverse axis arranged at its longitudinal center and journaled in the side members of the frame of the 1nachine, preferably as shown in Fig. 4. Each plane, as 31, is provided with laterally-projecting trunniors 35 which fit in suitable bearings 36 provided on the side member 20 or 21 of the main frame, thus permitting the plane to rock about its transverse axis. Each seriesof main'planes is composed of an equal number of front and rear planes which are preferably of the proportions shown in Fig. 2, being considerably shorter fore-anrl-ai't than they are transversely of the frame, and their fO1 '21I(l edges are curved, as shown in Fig. ,1. The

planes of each series are set so that whenthey are swung down so as .to lie parallel with the main frame they are spaced a short distance apart, as shown in Fig. 2. The front planes of the upper series are connected together near their forward margins by a cable 37 which runs through an eye 38 carried by an upward extension 39 of the rod 24. Said cable thence passes downward through an eye 40 carried by the rdd 24 to a pulley 41 around which it passes to a .drum 42 arranged in the car 4-3,said carbeing supported below the main frame as shown in Fig. 1. After passing around the drum 42, the cable 37 passes up around a pulley 44 and thence upward and through an eye 45 to the rear margins of the front to adjust the lower'front planes 33 in unison with and similarly to the upper front planes 31. theirforward margins are conneeted with the cable 37 by a cable 46 which runs through an eye 47 and is then connected with the cable 37, and their rear margins are similarly connected by a cable 48 with the cable 37, the cable 48 passing through aneye 49. as shown in F lg; 3. In like manner, the upper and lower rear planes of both series or tiers are synchronously and similarly adjusted, 50 indicating a cable which is connected to the forward portions of the upper planes 32, thence passing through an eye 51, thence downward around a pulley 52 to a drum 53..around which it passes, thence proceeding back around a pulley 54, and thence up through an eye 55 to the rear margins of the rear planes of the upper tier, to which it is connected as shown in Fig. I

56 indicates a cable which is connected with the forward portions of the rear planes of the lower series, and thence connects with the cable 50, after passing through an eye 57, and 58 indicates a cable connected with the rear portions of the lower rear planes 34 and connected with the cable 50 after passingthrough an eye 59'. The rear planes of both series will always, therefore, bear the same angular relation to each other and be'corrcspondingly and equally adjusted.

The cables 37 and 50 are.moved longitudinally to vary the angular position of the planes with which'they are respectively con nected by rotating the drums 42-53, and for this purpose I provide levers (SO- 61, the lever 60 being connected with the drum 42 and the lever 61 with the drum 5; Preferably I connect saidlevers with their respective drums by the devices shown in Figs.

and 5, although any other suitable construction may be employed. In the arrangement shown the lever 60 is provided with a connecting rbd 62 which is connected by-a- Wrist-pin 63. with a gear tltwhioh meshes With-apinion' 65 mounted on the shaft 66 which carries the drum 42. By this con-- struction by moving the lever 60 forward the gear 64 iyill be partly rotated,'thereby rotating the (ll'lllll l2 and shitting the cable 3} which is wound upon it. ln, like manner the lever 61 is-connected with its druni by. a connectingrod 6i. gear i8,- and pinion co,

as shown in Fig. 5. By properly proper tioning the several gears, any desired rotacally in order to more clearly illustrate the fact that there areitito of such levers and connections, but it will .be understood that- '.in, practice the. axes of the drums will he concentric and the several parts Will be side by side insteado't as shown in Fig. The

correct position of the parts is. shown in Fig.

I '5, in which both .of said levers are shownas being fulcrumed upon .a transverse shaft 72. 7 3 -7 l indicate springs for returning the levers GUI-61 tothei'r upright position when released from pressure, the normal position of said} levers being upright as illustrated.

' When tlie'operator desires to increase the angular relation of thefront main planes to thefhori' zontal', heIWill press forward the lever 60, thereby rotating the drum 42 in the direction indicated 'the arrow .in Fig.

3 and consequentlypulling back, on that port-ionof' the cables and 4d which is connected with the forward edges of the ffOIitplanes, thus rocking the planes upon t-heiraiiels so as to carry their forward edges farther to the 'rear and make them assu ne a position more nearly vertical, Movement of said lever in the opposite direction secures the opposite result. In like manner the rear planes may be adjusted by operating the lever 61. \Vhen either lever is released by ,theoperator, it will be returned to its normal position by its spring i c117 as the case inay be. Thus the operator may regulate .the flight of the aeroplane while it is moving forward as to cause it. either to ascend, descend or maintain itself H11 a'norizontal plane.

'For the purpose of inaintaining: or resto r ing the lateral balance of the machine, it' is provided with two pairs oi balancing planes, each composed of upper audit-B tter planes -'76,- i'es wctitely. connected til-- getlicr'by side bars- 77 pivoted cont-rally upon.transverse axes so that theiy' lll:t i1lg foi'e-aiid-ai't 'tos'change then" Inclination t the longitudinal axisot the machu'icj Said mounted. upon and keyed tosaidshatt, a;

trically therewith," as

balancing-planes are mounted atthe-longjh tudiual center of the main frame, as sh on in Fig. -l, being supported in lateral extensions-TS-Jfl oi the main frame, as shown in Fig, 7. The position of each o'tthc balauw iiig plauesinay be adjusted independently of the other so that if desired one of saidplanes may be employed to secure a litting etl'cct, or furnish a lateral support at one side of the machine, While the other plane is turnedso that it give lesslittin r ettect, or terms aless etlective support for the other side of the machine, or does not sup port-it at all.' Forexample, when the ma chine is traveling; forward, i't' it. tilts so that one side is lower than. the other, the balancingplanc at the lower side would be turned to a more nearly'horizontal position, while r the balancingplaneat the higher sidewould be turned so as to. "be inclined. downward from rear to front. Thus the low side would be given more, and the high side less,--sup-" port, and consequently the forward niovement of theinachine would operate to restore it to its horizontal position.

The balancing planes are adjustedhy the means shown in Fig. 7, from which it-will he seeuthat the v righthandbalancing planes are connected by, a. cable 80 attached to their forward edges, said cable extending through a guide -81, thence down around a guideBQ to a drum 83, thencebaclraround guides 8L8586. 'Qbviously, by rotating the drum 83 the cable 80 may he moved to swing the planes 75-76 at the right-hand side of themachineto any desired angle.

In likeinanner'the other pair of balancingv planes is connected by a cable 87 with a drum 88 so that by rotating the latter drum the cable 87 may be adjusted to change the position of the left-hand balancing planes. 89 indicates a third drum .which is connected by a cable 90 with the cable 29 by which the frontand rear rudders are operated, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 1A3 sli two .in Fig. 6f the cable 90 passes around guides 9192 and is connected at its ends with the cable '29, its intermediate portion passing arountl the drum 89, as shown in Fig. 7.

The three drums '83, 88' and 89 are linounted concentrically in a horizontal positiqn in the car 4-3 upon a common yert-icalai iis 93, as shown in Fig. 13, and separate leve s are provided for rotating them as will now be vertical" shaft .95 .inoiin ted ad acent to. and

parallel with the axi's of the drums S3, 88

and Si), asliest shown in Fig. 13,; The steer;

ing lever His keyed to the shaftf) 5, ivhi -h is geared to the drum 89 by'a geaigflti swinging the steering lever 94 to one side or the other the dru1n 89 maybe rotated in either direction. 98 indicates a segmental rack mounted in a convenient position to be engaged by a spring-dog 99 carried by the lever 9-1, as best shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 12,'thus holding the steeringlever in its different positions of adjustment. 100' indicates a lever for rotating the drum 83, said lever being operatively connected with said drum by means of a gear 101 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 95 and meshes with a pinion 102 which is secured to the drum 83 concentrically therewith, as shown a sleeve 103 whic extends up to near the upperend of the shaft 95, the lever 100 being mounted upon and keyed to said sleeve as shown. Thus the lever 100 may be operated independently of the shaft 95 to rotate the drum 83 in either direction. 104 indicates a lever for rotating-the drum 88, said lever being connected with its drum by means of a gear 105 which meshes with a pinion 106 connected concentrically with the drum 88. The gear 105 also is provided with a sleeve 107 which fits loosely upon the sleeve 103 and carries the lever 104, which is keyed to it, as shown in Fig. 13. Thus the lever 104 may be operated independently of the other levers 100 and 91. By this construction the levers and also the balancing planes at either side of the machine may be operated independently of each other as the operator may desire.

For the purpose of automatically maintaining or restoring the lateral balance of ,the machine, whenit is moving forward. I "employ the following mechanism: 108 inpulleys ltlSP-----llt 111112 and through a curved guide 113 in the form of a slotted tube secured to the car 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and t). The cable 108 is so disposed as to extend across the ear between the outer ends of the levers 100 and 101, as shown in Fig. 13, and carries a balancing weight 11-1 at its lower side, as shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11, said weight being =ecured tixedlv to the cable so that movement of the weight along the guide 111 will act to move the cable. Obviously, gravity will operate to hold the weight Ill-i at the lowest point, and conset'ptently rocking of the machine to one side or the other will operate to shift the cable 108 in one direction or the other. The cable 108 is provided on its upper side with three buttons 115116--117. as best shown in Fig. 0, the button 115 being directly pppcsite the weight 114. and the buttons 110 117 equally distant from the center button at opposite sides thereof, as shown. Normall, a. when the machine is laterally bal= ano uqfithe weight 114 stands at the center of the-guide 113, and the center button 115 in Fig. 13. The car 101 is provided with (lit-ates an endless cable, which runs around stands centrally between the pulleys 109- 110 which are at the sides of the car. Each of the levers 100 and 104'is provided with gripping mechanism for gripping the cable 108, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, said mechanism preferably comprising a V-shaped clamping block 117 which engages the cable and presses it against stops 118 carried by the leversaid clampin block being normally held against the cable by a spring 119. A lever 120 is provided for releasing the clamp. Any other suitable clamping mechanism may, however, be employed. It will be obvious that when the levers 100 and 104 are in locking engagement with the cable 118 movement of the cable in either direction will operate said levers and consequently adjust the angular position of the balancing planes. The arrangement is such that when the levers 100-104 occupy their central position their respective balancing planes will be horizontal, and movement of the lever 100 to the right, and of the lever 101 to the left will rock the balancing planes to turn their front edges down below the horizontal; consequently movement of both levers 100-104 in the same direction will swing their respective balancing planes in opposite directions. lVh'en both levers areset at the center button, the balancing planes at both sides will be horizontal. and when the machine is progressing ifwit rocks laterally the movement of the cable 108 under the action of the balancing weight 111 will operate to move the levers 100101 so as to turn the front edge of the balancing plane on the higher side down below the horizontal, and the front edge of the balancing plane on the other side up above the horizontal, thus securing a lifting action by the planes on the depressed side and depressing effect by the planes on the elevated side, therebytending to restore the equilibriumof the machine. It will be appitrent, therefore, that the bal ancing weight 1.1-1, acting through the cable 108 and levers 100-104, will operate to automatically maintain or restore the lateral balance of the machine.

The buttons 110-11? are employed to indicate the points at which the levers 100- 101 should clamp the cable 108 to set the balancing planesat the proper angle for automatically balancing the machine when it is stationary, as will be hereinafter described. The machine is propelled in a forward direction by means of vertical propellers 121-122 driven by gears 1Q3121 from a transverse shaft 125 which in turn is driven through gears 126-427 by a vertical shaft 128, as best shown in Fig. 15. The latter shaft is connected with a motor 129 by a clutch 130, said clutch being operated by a lever 131, as shown in Fig. 8, through any suitable intermediate mechanism such as bell-crank levers 132133. The machine is gears 137 138,

moved vertically by horizontal propellers 134-5435 driven from a-shaft 136 through said shaft being in turn driven from a shaft 139. through gears 1.40 141, as shown in Fig.1.). The shaft 139 is also connected with the motor-129 by a clutch 142, as shown in 17 said clutch being operated y a lever 143, as shown in Fig. 8, through shit-able intermediate .mechanism such as bell-crank levers14414-5. As shown in Fig. 8, 146 indicates the drivers seat. By this construction the opera-tor may readily control the operation of eitherthe horizontal or vertical propellers so that they. may be driven separately or simultaneously as desired. I i a I From the foregoing description, it will be seen that my improved machine comprises generally the main sustaining planes which sure on said levers extend longitudinally of the machine, the propelling mechanism for driving the ma chine forward, and lateral wingsor balancing members composed of the horizontal propellers and the balancing planes, the latter being in eifect'the wing tips by which. the lateral balance'of'the machine-is maintained or restored.

In operating the machine the main planes are set at the desired. angle to carry the machine horizontally or on a levelplane, or-upward or downward, as'de'sired, the angle of such'plan'es being entirely under the control of the, operator, who may adj ust them at his pleasure by operating the foot-levers G0G1. By operating bothfoot-levers together the front and rear main planes maybe simultaneously andsimilarly adjusted, or by operating said levers independently the front and rear main planes may be set at different angles. In the absence of pros the springs connected with them operate to holdthe main planes in their normal position. If, when the machine is traveling forward, the forward part of the machine should start to drop, it could be caused to ascend a little by moving forward the foot-lever controlling the position of the front main planes, or the rearportion of the machine could be permitted to drop by moving the proper.foot-lever to the rear, thereby decreasing the angle of the rear main planes with reference to the frame.-

In like manner, by properly operatingthe foot--levers the operator could direct the machine upward, if desired.

Normally, when the machine is advancing the balancing levers are held stationary in their central position by their enga ement with the cable 108 as long as the mac ine is properly balanced, but if it should rock to one side or the other, under the action of the balancing Weight such levers would be moved in the proper direction to restore the balance of the machine in the manner alreadyyfiescribed. For automatically balanc-- moving forward, the lovers 10lare set at the pointsindicated by thelmttons 116-.117, thereby setting the balancing planes atiboth sides of the machine so that they are inclineddownward from rear to front at an angle of about 45. Bearing in mind the fact that movement of the balancing levers in the same direction rocks their respective planes in opposite direc tions, it will be apparent that, with the levers in this position, when the car tips laterally,the balancing levers will be operated automatically by the balancing weighttomove the balancing plane on the low side to a more nearly horizontal position. and the one on the high side to a more nearly vertical position, thus permitting the. high sideto drop, while the lower side "will receive the full sustaining effect of its balancing planes. In this way the equilibrium of the machine will automatically be restored.

By closing all the planes of the machine to a position where they have the greatest supporting effect and stopping the vertical propellers and driving the horizontal propellers at such speed that they barely over-- come-the power of gravity, the machine may .be caused to remain stationary in the air.

By moving the planes to the desired angle and driving all four propellers the machine may be caused to ascend on a greater and more rapid slant than if only the two vertical propellers are driven.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. An aeroplane, comprising a frame, one or more sustaining planes, balancing planes at opposite sides of said frame,said balancing planes being adapted to I rock about transverse axes. levers operatable independently of each other and connected with said balancing planes, respectively, for inclependent] y operating the same, an endless cable, and means for connecting said lovers with said cable whereby they may be oper ated in unison by moving the cable.

2. An aeroplane, comprising a frame, one or more sustaining planes, balancing planes at opposite sides ing planes being adapted to rock about transverse axes, levers operatable independently of each other and connected with said balancing planes, respectively, for independently operating the same, an endless cable, means for connecting said levers with said-cable whereby they may be operated in unison by moving the cable, and a weight connected with said cable for automatically moving the same in one direction or the other as the machine tilts.

3. An aeroplane, comprising a frame, one or more sustaining planes, balancing planes at opposite'sides of said frame, said balancing planes beingv adapted to rock about of said frame, said balano ling' the machine laterally, when it is not transverse axes, drums carried by said necting said levers with said endless cable frame, cables operating on said drums and connected, respectively, with said balancing planes, levers connected, respectively, with 5 said drums for rotating the same, said levers being operatable independently of each other, an endless cable, and means for conmoving the cable.

WILLIAM B. SHEPARD.

VVitneSses:

EDWIN M. BAILEY, WM. N. SHEPARD.

whereby they may be operated in unison by 

